kombi driver fined US$400, barred from driving for killing pedestrian

A 35-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo kombi driver who knocked down and killed a pedestrian while reversing his vehicle has been fined US$400 or two years’ imprisonment and barred from driving all classes of vehicles for two years.

Mgcini Ncube, of Magwegwe North, was convicted on his own plea of guilty to culpable homicide when he appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Jeconia Prince Ncube.

Prosecuting, Mr Tafara Dzimbanhete told the court that the incident occurred on December 28 last year at around 9PM along Mlashana Drive in Magwegwe West.

“The accused was reversing a Toyota Hiace commuter omnibus when he failed to keep a proper lookout and ran over the deceased, Francis Ndlovu, who was behind the vehicle crossing the road,” said Mr Dzimbanhete.

The court heard that Ndlovu sustained fatal injuries and died on the spot.

A police report was subsequently made, leading to Ncube’s arrest.

In a separate, but related matter, a 57-year-old Plumtree kombi driver was fined US$400 or 12 months’ imprisonment for causing an accident that resulted in the death of one person and left three others injured.

Nkosana Dube was also convicted on his own plea of guilty to culpable homicide before the same magistrate.

He was banned from driving all classes of motor vehicles for two years and ordered to surrender his driver’s licence within seven days.

Mr Dzimbanhete told the court that the accident occurred on November 5 last year at around 6AM.

“Dube was driving a Toyota Hiace public service vehicle along Plumtree Road, carrying three passengers. Upon reaching the 27-kilometre peg, he lost concentration and rammed into another Toyota Hiace from behind,” he said.

As a result of the collision, Monica Nkomo, Moses Moyo and Lindiwe Ncube sustained injuries and were admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital for treatment.

A week later, Nkomo succumbed to the injuries sustained in the accident.